About the Prospect

As the Acceptance Manager for Austal Defence Australia (ADA), you will lead the planning, governance and delivery of Supplies Acceptance and Transition activities for complex Defence capability programs, ensuring contractual milestones are achieved and capability is successfully transitioned into service.

The role leads development and implementation of the Acceptance Strategy, Acceptance Plan and Contractor Transition Plan, ensuring contractual, technical, regulatory and support system requirements are integrated into the Acceptance process.

Acting as the primary interface with the Commonwealth Acceptance Manager, you will work across Engineering, Commercial, Production, Supply Chain, Integrated Logistics Support and Verification & Validation functions to drive Acceptance readiness, manage risks and deliver successful Acceptance and Transition outcomes. You will play a key leadership role in delivering capability to the Commonwealth and achieving critical program milestones.

About Austal

Austal is Australia's global shipbuilder, Defence prime contractor; and maritime technology partner of choice. We design, construct, and support Defence and commercial vessels for the world's leading operators with operations spanning Australia, the USA, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, Austal is leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia. We're driving innovation, supporting sovereign capability, and creating long-term opportunities for Australian industry and workers.

Learn more at austal.com/ssa

This is your opportunity to contribute to projects of national significance. The maritime is now.

What's Involved

Acceptance Leadership

- Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of the Program Acceptance Strategy, Acceptance Plan and associated governance framework.





- Establish acceptance objectives, milestones, readiness criteria and reporting mechanisms to support achievement of contractual acceptance obligations.

- Provide leadership and advice to Program stakeholders on acceptance-related matters.

Transition Management

- Lead the development and execution of Contractor Transition Plans to support the successful introduction of delivered capability into service.

- Ensure transition activities are planned, integrated and aligned with acceptance milestones, customer requirements and operational objectives.

- Monitor transition readiness and support the resolution of issues impacting transition outcomes.

Acceptance Readiness

- Lead acceptance readiness activities across the Program and ensure acceptance obligations are defined, understood and achieved.

- Monitor progress against acceptance criteria and facilitate the closure of acceptance-related risks, issues, actions and dependencies.

- Ensure acceptance evidence is available, traceable and suitable to support acceptance activities and decision making.

Stakeholder Engagement

- Act as the primary interface with the Commonwealth Acceptance Manager on acceptance and transition matters.

- Build and maintain effective relationships across Program stakeholders to support acceptance outcomes.

- Facilitate alignment between customer expectations, contractual requirements and Program delivery activities.

Contractual Delivery





- Lead integration of contractual Acceptance requirements into Program planning and execution activities.

- Ensure contractual Acceptance obligations are understood, planned and achieved. Monitor delivery of Acceptance-related contractual deliverables and evidence.

You'll Need

Essential

- Experience delivering Defence acquisition, shipbuilding, sustainment or complex capability programs.

- Experience managing customer and stakeholder relationships in a complex delivery environment.

- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

- Experience working within multidisciplinary project environments.

- Ability to influence outcomes across multiple functions and stakeholder groups.

- Understanding of contractual delivery, acceptance or transition activities.

Desirable

- PMI PMP®, PRINCE2®, AIPM CPPP or equivalent Project Management certification.

- Qualifications in Systems Engineering, Integrated Logistics Support, Commercial Management or Contract Management.

- Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) awareness or experience.

- Experience supporting Commonwealth acceptance activities.

- Maritime, shipbuilding or naval sustainment experience.

Why Join Us?

- Competitive compensation and benefits package.

- Professional development and training opportunities.

- A supportive and dynamic work environment.

- Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Veterans are also encouraged to apply.

Learn more at Careers at Austal Australia | Austal: Australia

📌 Acceptance Manager (Fremantle)
🏢 Austal Ships
📍 Fremantle